Pine Car Lubricants - Graphite and Oil for Pinewood Derby Cars (2024)

FAQs

What is the best lubricant for a pinewood derby car? ›

Pure Graphite

Best for races that specify that only graphite can be used. This pure extra fine graphite is high in carbon content giving superior lubricating characteristics. A special blend of micron size graphite particles are formulated to reduce the coefficient of friction and give your car the winning edge.

While just about any graphite will work as a lubricant, some versions are specially formulated and work best for Pinewood Derby®. Liquid - There are different liquid lubricants as well. Nyoil™ has been a popular option in years past, as well as Krytox™, produced by DuPont®.

No wet lubricant is allowed. (Ex: NyOil, NyOil II, WD-40) Only one lubrication is allowed before the beginning of the first race, and then once again before the beginning of the first race of the semi-finals and finals.

Due to the presence of weak Vander Waal force of attraction among the layer, they can slide over each other leading to the slippery nature of graphite. Hence, graphite is used as a better lubricant due to the slippery nature of graphite.

Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.

The wheels may be slightly sanded to remove any mold marks but may not be modified in any other way. Only the Official Scout Grand Prix wheels may be used. Wheels may be sanded (smoothed to remove knit/mold lines) but the wheel's profile may not be altered.

Baking your Pinewood Derby wooden block helps to remove the moisture so that you have more wiggle room to add extra weight at the end. Remember, every little bit of weight in the right place makes a difference! Bake it in the oven at 250° for about 2 hours.

Use a final gloss clear paint coat to give your car an extra shine. Some people use car wax but clear paint gives better results. You will get better results if you give your car several light coats of paint rather than one or two thick coats. Sand your car lightly after the first coat of paint dries.

Slide the axles and wheels onto the car and glue into place. Use an epoxy or nonresin glue, and make sure you don't get any on the surface of the axle where the wheel rides.

You will want to bend your front axle a PRECISE AMOUNT for maximum speed, ensuring the car is level front to back when racing.

What do you seal a Pinewood Derby car with? ›

Seal and protect it by spraying the entire car with clear gloss paint. Some clear paints might make the numbers curl. To make sure yours works, test it on a decal or number stuck to scrap plastic before spraying your car.

Most PWD experts believe a car is faster when the weight is predominately placed towards the rear of the car. Why? Because most tracks are designed so a car rolls down the track on an incline from a height of 3.5 feet -‐ 4.5 feet before traveling down a long flat stretch.

Alignment - Make your derby car go straight. This may seem like an afterthought to many, but if your Pinewood Racer doesn't go straight, the wheels will rub against the track, causing it to slow down. Remember, friction is your enemy. Weight - It is vital to have your Pinewood Derby car weigh the proper amount.

For pinewood derby cars, white glue works fine for gluing wood to wood (such as adding wood accessories) and for repairing chips or cracks in the wood. It can also be used for holding the axles in place.

Seal and protect it by spraying the entire car with clear gloss paint. Some clear paints might make the numbers curl. To make sure yours works, test it on a decal or number stuck to scrap plastic before spraying your car.